Government : Hello District 84 from the State Capitol

Former Benton County Senator John Putney, Gladbrook, visits the Capitol for Pioneer Lawmakers Day.

The Iowa state legislators continue working our way to the end of the session, having just completed week 12 and hopefully have about three weeks left.

On Tuesday, March 26th, the House passed House Joint Resolution 2006, which would require a 2/3 majority vote to raise or create new taxes in the state legislature. The resolution needs to pass a second vote in the next general assembly to become a ballot measure for the people of Iowa to be able to vote up or down. This is important and polls show as seen here https://taxrelief.org/is-a-supermajority-requirement-to-raise-taxes-a-threat-to-democracy/ that over 70% of Republicans and 53% of Democrats support this. There are several states that require 60% or 2/3 majority to raise taxes, both red and blue states, and even California has it on the ballot this November. Iowans work hard and it should not be easy to take more of your money unless it's a very good reason. All Republicans voted for HJR 2006, and all Democrats voted against this.

The House also passed HF 2668, which requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker testing when the testing has proven to have better results for patients. These biomarkers look for genes, proteins, or other molecules which are linked to certain diseases or conditions. It will also benefit health care system by lowering the overall cost of care.

We also passed HF 2661, that will help our law enforcement officers. This bill makes changes to IPERS for sheriffs and deputies to retire at up to 80% of their salaries and includes a 1.5% cost of living adjustment. It also makes certain that anyone charged with a murder of a law enforcement or corrections officer to never be eligible for bail and creates up to a $2000 tax credit for public safety officers that move to the state of Iowa. This bill passed unanimously and now goes to the Senate for their consideration.

On Monday, March 25th, the Iowa House welcomed the "Pioneer Lawmakers Class of 2004". These legislators are recognized for beginning serving 20 years ago. Among those recognized was Senator John Putney, Republican from Gladbrook and represented Benton County from January 2003 to January 2009.

Also visiting the Capitol for Bankers Day on the Hill was Matt Johnson from Cedar Valley Bank in Vinton, and 10 students from the Politics class at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, which included Lydia Weininger, who lives in House District 84. A couple other people who stopped in the Capitol to have a chat with us were U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst on Wednesday.

Have a safe week and please be careful out there!